EMPOWERING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS AND STUDENTS WomHub Empowers Women in STEM for Skill Growth and Startups. Strategically investing in women entrepreneurs and students is crucial to drive SA’s economy forward while tackling the pressing challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality head-on. Naadiya Moosajee, the co-founder of WomHub, an incubator empowering female engineers and entrepreneurs, emphasises that targeted skill development and entrepreneurship are not just smart moves but game-changing strategies that can fuel economic growth and job opportunities, especially in SA. Studies indicate that women often gravitate towards job-creating industries, making their support even more crucial. Moosajee speaks with conviction: “We are unapologetic. There are financial returns if we invest in women entrepreneurs and skills development for female students.” She stresses WomHub’s commitment to empowering women in STEM fields
“We are a space focused on women, not exclusive to them.”
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing), reshaping the gender disparity narrative.
their mining operations, furthering the cause of women representation in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Founded in 2006 as part of WomEng, a STEM innovation non-profit, WomHub transformed into a for-profit powerhouse providing tailored business services and support for women in STEM careers.
Solving for pain Why focus on women? Moosajee’s response stems from her personal journey as a female engineer turned entrepreneur and investor, driven by a desire to address real challenges. WomHub’s approach is firmly rooted in tackling the hurdles Moosajee and Vallabh faced in their engineering and entrepreneurial careers. This encompasses the alarming gender disparity in African venture capital funding, where less than 2% of the funding reaches female founders.
WomEng Fellows, a programme for university students, enhances employability and entrepreneurship skills. They also offer training in women’s cybersecurity. Partnering with Cisco as a network academy partner expands their focus to include digital skills, AI, and cybersecurity training. Boutique ecosystem builder WomHub’s diverse approach, termed a ‘boutique ecosystem builder’ by Moosajee, creates success by offering co-working and tech hubs in Johannesburg and Cape Town, connecting female entrepreneurs, integrating Cisco tech, supporting worklife balance, including STEM activities for kids, and prioritises holistic well-being through health, fitness, and mental health services. WomHub’s accelerator offers e-learning, expert mentors, and startup support, turning female-led businesses into techsavvy successes. They also venture into capital investment with Five35 Ventures, a $30 million fund led by co-founder Hema Vallabh, focused on backing African women in tech. Partnerships with corporate giants such as Sasol and De Beers exemplify WomHub’s reach and impact. Notably, the collaboration with De Beers aims to bolster female engineering talent around
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However, Moosajee makes a vital distinction: “We are a space focused on women, not exclusive to them. Men are always welcome; they play a crucial role in the diversity and inclusion dialogue.” WomHub inspires high school girls through programmes like “GirlEng,” upskilling university students for STEM careers and sharing success stories of individuals progressing from high school through university to entrepreneurship, showcasing their holistic approach. WomHub has supported 200 female founders across 30 countries, aligning with its pan-African values. In a corporate landscape with few female CEOs in the JSE’s top 100 companies, there’s a pressing need for change. Moosajee highlights the significance of deliberate leadership and financing to empower female leaders, a key driver of economic growth. In a business world marked by gender diversity challenges, her message is unequivocal: “Invest in female fund managers and founders for maximum impact.
For more information about Womhub, visit womhub.com.
